A/V transmission through CAT5 cable

For audio- and video-transmission we mostly use RCA, SCART or HDMI cables. What most people don’t know yet is that CAT5 cables are also very suitable for the transmission of broadband (HD) audio- and video signals and that this offers many advantages.

The limitations of RCA, SCART or HDMI cables:

• the picture quality decreases considerably with longer cables (see table below).
• it is, certainly with HDMI cables, impossible to place a connector on the cable yourself. Because of this you often need to drill large holes to lead the cable with connector through.
• longer cables are often very expensive.
• the correct length is not easy to purchase.

The use of so called CAT5 cables is a very interesting alternative, and that is why they are frequently used in larger professional A/V sets yet.

What is a CAT5 cable?
A CAT5 cable (also known as UTP or network cable) combined with the well-known RJ45 connector (picture) is often found as connection between PC and network (router), as data network and between data-equipment. You might even have a (small) data network at home where you use this kind of cable

Why use a CAT5 cable?

The use of this cable has a number of striking advantages:

• little or no loss of quality;
• can be used over long distances;
• usable for both SD and HD Audio/Video signals;
• relatively cheap and widely available;
• you can place the plugs yourself what makes that: 
  - every length can be realised 
  - the cable is easily guided through a PVC-pipe,
  - the holes that need to be drilled can be small;
• the cable is relatively thin and flexible so it can easily be concealed.

However, the RJ45 connector cannot be plugged straight into your TV or A/V device. Marmitek, as specialist in the field of audio/video transmission, offers a number of products which can be used to transmit both the Standard Definition (composite) as well as the High Definition (HDMI) signal through CAT5 cable. Knowing;

• the MegaView 50, for watching Composite Video through CAT5.
• the MegaView 51, for watching and operating Composite Video through CAT5.
• the MegaView 60, for watching HDMI through CAT5.
• the MegaView 61, for watching and operating HDMI through CAT5.

It has never been easier to watch your SD or HD video content, elsewhere on your TV.

Comparison different cables

 * depending on the quality of the cable